ECO-FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVES ANY HOST CAN USE Make Your Summertime Parties Sustainable!
Put the recycling bin in plain sight. Metal cans and plastic bottles are unavoidable at summer parties, but when guests are unsure where the recycling is in someone else’s home, they usually end up in the trash. So, before the party starts, put your recycling bin in a place everyone can see, and consider labeling it. When people ask where to put their bottles and cans, say “the recycling by the [location]” instead of “the trash” to make it even more straightforward. The important thing to remember when becoming more eco-conscious is that it’s okay to start small! If trying all three of these tips at once is overwhelming, begin by changing one aspect of your party to something more sustainable and celebrate saving the planet!
Summertime brings images of pool parties, backyard barbecues, Father’s Day family gatherings, and endless get-togethers with loved ones. But these countless parties usually come with elaborate decorations and disposable dishes. While they make your party festive and easy to clean, they end up in the dump, where they’ll sit for years. Even worse, they could get into our oceans and harm endangered sea life. However, you can still host fantastic summertime celebrations without sacrificing sustainability. So, if you’re looking to turn up the hosting heat, here are three ways to entertain your guests while remaining eco-friendly. Reuse home decor. If you have an indoor party, consider printing theme-appropriate images from the internet and inserting them into the picture frames you already have hanging.
Or, grab a garland from your Christmas decoration box and weave in some fresh flowers from your yard or local nursery to fit the season. Consider dragging potted plants closer to the action for outdoor festivities and draping them with your Christmas lights to create a relaxing and enchanting ambiance! Avoid disposable dishes. Yes, disposable cups, plates, and silverware make party cleanup easier. But to be more eco-friendly, you should opt for the dishes, cups, and plates you already have in your home. To make cleanup easier, empty your
dishwasher ahead of time and ask your guests to pop their dirty dishes right into the washer. After they leave, you only need to add detergent and turn the machine on!
A Peculiar Roman Requirement: Walk Your Furry Friend or Get Fined
If you live in Rome and feel too lazy to walk your dog, you better think twice before breaking the law. Wait, the law?
How authorities in Rome can enforce this law is still unclear, but the city also passed other less-ambiguous animal welfare laws. Aside from the mandatory daily dog walk, docking an animal’s ears or tails and selling animals at fairgrounds are also illegal acts. While Rome may seem dog-biased, cat people will be happy to learn the Italian city didn’t forget felines. They passed another law to make declawing a cat for aesthetic reasons illegal. Additionally, the city will recognize those feeding and caring for the countless stray cats roaming the stone-paved streets. And last but not least, round fishbowls are also illegal, as the circular shape forces the fish to swim in circles, which is disorienting and can affect the fish’s mood and behavior. But Rome isn’t the only city in Italy with animal-friendly laws. In Turin, for example, dog owners are required to walk their pets at least three times a day or face a fine of $650. Meanwhile, in Reggio Emilia, it is illegal to boil live lobsters. The city officials considered this cooking method “useless torture.” Even though Italy is known for stunning landscapes and delicious cuisine, it can also take credit for holding pet owners accountable and ensuring they take proper care of their animal companions.
Yes! In 2005, the city of Rome passed a law requiring every dog owner to walk their furry friend at least once a day if they wanted to avoid a fine. This was one of the multiple laws protecting the safety and well- being of Roman animals. The city had been dealing with ongoing problems due to dogs being cooped up in small apartments or abandoned in the streets.
Monica Cirinna, who created the law, explained, “It’s good to do whatever we can for our animals who, in exchange for a little love, fill our existence with their attention.” She also told the Roman newspaper Il Messaggero that “the civilization
of a city can also be measured by this.”
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